Happy New Year-Recycled Fortune Cookie Firecrackers

It's almost time to say goodbye to 2013. It's been a whirlwind of change and excitement in our world, and I am sure it's been for many.

To celebrate the New Year, and bring good karma to all, I have this fun, kid friendly, age appropriate for everyone, nearly free, recycled craft.

Here's what you need: Empty wrapping paper tubes, (or tp rolls, or paper towel tubes), excess wrapping paper, ribbon, leftover candy or other filler. This should all be stuff you have around the house--scraps of any paper, tissue paper from gifts, leftover treats of any kind--remember the goal is to keep it simple.

Cut the tube (if necessary) to desired length.

Then put tissue paper (or a napkin or a bit of paper towel) in one end of the tube and fill it--we used coins, candy and New Year's horn/streamers left over from last year. And since we are a family where some speak Mandarin--we added a fortune for the year. We want to encourage the children to learn the culture and the language (or at least some version of it). Plus it's a great Chinese New Year idea for February 2014, this year's Chinese New Year.

There is a random Fortune Cookie Saying generator here.

Secure all the prizes inside by capping off the open end of the tube with more tissue (or whatever) paper. Wrap the paper around the tube like a taffy and tie with ribbon. On New Year's Eve each person can choose a random "New Year's Fortune Firecracker" and ring in the New Year in style!

Let It Snow...Man!

We've had a great abundance of crazy snow lately. I got stuck in my own driveway and had to have my 12-year-olds dig me out of the snow, then I got stuck in front of my neighbors house, and I got myself out. SuPeR FuN!

Anyway with all the snow we've been inspired to check out Pinterest--which you all know I have a love-hate relationship with, and we found these....

Melting Snowmen Cookies!

Using a favorite Sugar Cookie recipe (or pre-made, or packaged), cut out 2 inch circles. You can use the open end of a glass if you don't have a cookie cutter.

To add to the melted effect, squish the roundness of the cookie slightly. The snowman's head is a large marshmallow and the nose is an orange Tic-Tac. The rest of the decoration is frosting. 

Easy, Peasy, Snowman Pleasy.

See...They are sliding across the counter!

Happy Baking and Snowman Making!

Santa "Chex" His List Twice...

My mind has been blown! This makes me so giddy...I am freaking out.

SPOILER ALERT: Neighbors you will still need to be shocked when you get our surprise gift this year.

I love spreading a little bit of fun to our awesome neighbors. Really we couldn't ask for a circle full of better friends. Everything from ketchup to kids gets swapped between us, and they are so great to help out with nearly any crisis.

This year I am making treats to share with these fantastic people (and sharing cuz no family should eat more than 3 batches of anything by themselves). So in an attempt to spread cheer and eliminate excess food consumption it's Chex Mix for everyone!!

Here's the mind blowing part. Whilst googling (yes, that is now a verb) for recipe ideas I ran across this from Betty Crocker. Click on the link and it will take you a Chex lovers paradise with over 50 variations of this delicious-and potentially somewhat nutritious- treat. You can print, save and/or email your favorites so you can enjoy it all year long!

Happy Holidays (and no, I am not being compensated for this endorsement).

And Remember...Santa "Chex" his list twice. Have you been naughty, or nice?

Christmas Traditions

I love, love, love seeing Christmas lights. It's my all time favorite tradition. I love to drive around and see the creative displays that bring joy, fun and cheer to neighborhoods all over the valley. We always have cocoa and doughnuts and drive around different areas to bring the Christmas spirit home.

This year we decided to add a little more fun and play Christmas Light Bingo while we take our annual drive. I panicked thinking I was going to have to create some kind of Bingo card, but thanks to Google and Pintrest, and other crafty chics who are awesome enough to share, all the hard work has been done for me.

Click here for a great Christmas Light Bingo game. This is a great site that has lots of creative, fun Christmas games. Like the Christmas Crossword or Christmas Wordsearch. Thanks to those of you who put your amazing ideas out there for the rest of us to enjoy!

So here's to another fun year driving around to enjoy the bedazzling bling of the neighborhoods. Really any excuse to eat a chocolate doughnut is a good one--don't ya' think?!?